Probing and silicone intubation of the lacrimal system in adults.

We evaluated an atraumatic catheterisation of the lacrimal system in 23 cases under local anaesthesia in adults. By using this method 60% of the eyes with canaliculus stenosis and about 40% of the eyes with inferior lacrimal duct stenosis could be treated successfully. We suggest that lacrimal duct catheterisation under local anaesthesia can be used as a substitute for DCR in selected cases especially in elderly patients giving a good chance of cure without invasive operation.